Hennessey heads for Forest after two-year deal offer

NOTTINGHAM Forest have signed goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey from Burnley.

The 35-year-old has agreed a two-year contract at the City Ground ahead of Forest’s return to the Premier League.

He will challenge Dean Henderson for the gloves following the latter’s season-long loan move from Manchester United and boasts 183 Premier League appearances to date.

The Wales international said: “I’ve come up against Forest a lot in the past and it’s a fantastic club.

“There’s a great fanbase and the atmosphere at the City Ground is up there with the best in the game. It’ll be a different level now that we’re back in the Premier League.

“I have also played with and against a few of the Forest players. It’s a very exciting time to come on board and I can’t wait to get involved and start training here at the Nigel Doughty Academy.”

Hennessey, who played just two times for the Clarets last season, joins a growing Welsh contingent in the East Midlands, where he will play alongside international teammates Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams. Boss Steve Cooper added: “Wayne is an excellent goalkeeper who has proven himself at the highest level over many years.

“He’s helped Wales reach new heights in the international game and he has a wealth of Premier League experience.

“However, Wayne is also a great character and he is a very strong addition to the Nottingham Forest dressing room.”

■ Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to pass on an eye-watering proposal from an unnamed club in Saudi Arabia, the PA news agency understands.

It recently emerged that the 37-year-old asked to leave Old Trafford if an acceptable offer arrived following a disappointing first season back at the club.

Ronaldo is absent from United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to a family issue and speculation continues over his future.

The club have repeatedly said that the veteran is not for sale and manager Erik ten Hag reiterated that stance earlier in the week. Few could realistically afford Ronaldo, but a Saudi club is understood to have sounded him out about a potential twoyear deal worth 275million euros (£233.4million).

That figure would dwarf any other player’s wage and could also see United receive a fee in the region 30m euros (£25.45m).

But Ronaldo is expected to reject the proposal – perhaps no surprise given his desire to play top level football.